He was joined by his girlfriend, Patty Smith, who told the City Judge Larry Little that she didn't want to pursue the charges.

"I'm just glad to finally get this thing behind me so I can focus on more important things in life and football," Boykin said after leaving the courtroom.

"I've said all along that this was a whole big misunderstanding. Now it's over with."

Boykin was arrested March 10 on a simple assault/domestic violence charge after a neighbor called police to report a disturbance at an off-campus apartment shared by Boykin and Smith. When police arrived at the apartment, Smith was found crying and with swelling around her eyes, according to the arrest report.

Smith told police the swelling was caused by her crying after an argument with Boykin. State law requires responding officers to make an arrest if there is evidence of domestic violence, and if an aggressor can be identified.

Boykin, 22, pleaded innocent at his March 23 arraignment, and Smith also told the judge then that she did not wish to pursue charges.

Little scheduled Wednesday's follow-up hearing in March, when he said he would consider dismissing the case if there was no more problems between the couple.

Little asked Smith if she "still felt the same way" about the case. Smith responded: "Yes."

Little then asked Smith if she was coerced into her decision. "No," she answered.

Boykin started 10 games last season and was considered one of the SEC's top defensive linemen while collecting 36 tackles, including 81/2 for lost yards, and 21/2 sacks. Boykin missed spring drills after having surgery on his right knee in January.

Boykin said Wednesday he expects to be about "75 percent" healthy when the Rebels open practice on Aug. 6.

Ole Miss coach Ed Orgeron has said that Boykin will face some form of disciplinary action from the team stemming from his legal issue.